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In contrast Pau had lost their last 13 Challenge Cup fixtures but a trip to the Pyrenees to face the mid-table Top 14 side always looked like Gloucester’s toughest test in a pool that also contains Agen and Zebre and they showed they are capable of pushing Johan Ackermann's men all the way.

Gloucester will still be expected to go through and top the group but they might have to win their other five pool games, especially if they want a home quarter-final.

That is why it was so important to get that bonus point at the end with Owen Williams’ superb touchline conversion from Henry Purdy’s try as well as denying Pau a bonus-point of their own that looked on the cards at half-time.

A big chance was blown

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Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann admitted it was there for the taking after the game.

After being under the cosh for most of the match and giving themselves a lot to do after going 20-0 down, Gloucester clearly had the superior fitness heading into the final 15 minutes and had momentum in their favour.

Once Ben Vellacott crossed the line for Gloucester’s second try, converted by Williams, there were just six points in it with 10 minutes left and they came back again almost immediately from the restart.

Billy Burns’ break opened things up and Gloucester had men over on the far side but Williams chose the wrong option going for the cross-field kick and also executed it poorly, Frank Halai hardly believing his luck as he was able to make a simple intercept and run all the way for a try that secured Pau’s win.

So for all the encouraging signs of the way Gloucester fought back this was another harsh lesson in taking their chances.

Gloucester suffered from familiar problems on the road

The change of scenery in France did nothing to solve Gloucester’s away day blues so far this season.

It was a case of familiar problems as they were made to pay for not looking after the ball well enough, particularly in the first half when most of the damage was done.

Once again, the lineout was an area of concern as Gloucester lost four on their own throw and they were made to pay for their inaccuracy in open play too, often giving the ball away cheaply and gifting Pau two tries from intercepts in echoes of the Sale defeat two weeks ago.

Gloucester also struggled with their exits as they could not gain any territory for the first 20 minutes and as frustration rose at the start of the second half they were made to pay for indiscipline as the two Colin Slade penalties was ultimately what separated the sides.

There is clearly a period of adjustment as the players get used to Ackermann’s style of play and this was a much-changed side with many making their first starts of the season but Gloucester fans will be hoping their fortunes on their travels will improve soon.

The bench made a big impact

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One of the reasons why Gloucester finished the game so strongly was the impact of the bench.

Ruan Ackermann came on for Tom Denton in the first half and made a big difference as he made his presence felt, while Val Rapava-Ruskin, Gareth Denman and debutant hooker James Hanson all bolstered the front row after their introductions.

A fresh Billy Burns provided an extra threat at full-back in the last half-hour and once again Ben Vellacott produced an encouraging cameo performance off the bench after Callum Braley was unable to make the most of a long-awaited opportunity to start at scrum-half.

Youngsters took their chance

Ackermann took this opportunity to give a chance to some younger players and they showed up well.

Flanker Jake Polledri showed glimpses of what a powerful ball-carrier he is in a performance full of promise on his European debut alongside Freddie Clarke in the back row who is now establishing himself as a senior figure rather than being just seen as a promising youngster.

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Aside from one handling error, Tom Hudson was composed under pressure at full-back and also made some good runs, making 64 metres in the 50 minutes he was on the pitch.

Vellacott gave Gloucester an extra dimension with his pace and energy when he made his 12 replacement appearance for the club, scoring a try to push his claims for a first start.